Hughes demands high standards

20 October 2013

Tom Bestwick

Jeff Hughes was left frustrated in the aftermath of Fleetwood’s defeat to Southend United on Friday night after saying the side did not meet their ‘usual high standards.’

Town had the chance to temporarily go top of the Sky Bet League 2 table with a win, but a goal apiece in the first and second half from Barry Corr meant Town fell to a 2-0 defeat and their first reverse on the road since August 31.

“It was very disappointing; we weren’t up to our usual high standards. We still created a few things but it was a frustrating night all round.” Hughes told www.fleetwoodtownfc.com.

“I think there is a few bad decisions, but we weren’t at our best, not even close to it, we still had quite a few chances in the first half, but it was just one of those nights where nothing seems to go right.”

The midfielder reflected on a number of missed opportunities throughout the game as Town hit the woodwork and had a penalty decision waved away in the first half, but also admitted it was a bad night at the office all round.

“Sarc (Antoni Sarcevic) had a one-on-one but he took a slightly heavy touch out to the side, with a slightly better touch he would have been clean through.

“He still hit a good shot and the keeper had to make a good save and rebound it and it didn’t quite fall for Bally in the middle.

“There are a few things that didn’t go right, but all in all, we were poor and probably got what we deserved.”

Meanwhile, sixty-eight fans made the long journey to Essex, and although it was not quite Fleetwood’s night, Hughes insists the players gave it their all right to very last whistle.

“The gaffer has got a good bunch of players. We are obviously going to try to the very last minute, but the fans have come down a hell of a long way and the least they deserve is for us to try to the last whistle.

“It’s fantastic for anybody to make it this far because we weren’t due back until half three, four, so it was always going to be a long night.”

Despite the latest set back, Hughes has praised the character of the players within the squad and has called on the players to get back to their high standards on Tuesday evening when Scunthorpe United are the visitors at Highbury.

Fleetwood have a good habit this season of bouncing back from defeat the very next game and Hughes insists the players are going to be working hard to put things right.

“We have got a game quite quick so we have got a chance to put it right so its important now that we knuckle down and do that.

“I don’t think there is any doubt about the character that we have within the squad. There is no question there, but we need to be hitting the standard, which we know we can regularly.”